PARK HILLS, Ky. — Jacqueline Helton was trying to hold back her tears – tears of joy – as her 17-year-old son Carter was one of 25 Elevate Job Training students to receive a diploma.
It was graduation night for The Point/Arc’s Zembrodt Education Center – and a record 63 students in the school’s Transition Program were awarded diplomas.
Graduation may be the official recognition of finishing an educational program. Perhaps, it may even be viewed as a rite of passage, transitioning a student from one stage of life to the next.
“For me,” mom Jacqueline said, “I’ve seen him grow – so much. He is more open with people and certainly less nervous doing things. I am so very proud of what he has accomplished.
“And I owe it to The Point/Arc’s ZEC and their fine staff.”
The Point/Arc’s Zembrodt Education Center connects people with disabilities to share in common interests, as well as create opportunities for participants to increase social skills in a safe, comfortable environment.
The mission – quite simply – is to teach individuals techniques to build self-confidence and increase social interaction.
Carter Helton is autistic and found his way to The Point/Arc’s ZEC two years ago, according to Jacqueline. “We learned about the ZEC program through Simon Kenton High School, where Carter attends,” she said.
Carter attends ZEC two-days-a-week in their Elevate Job Training Program. Here, says Jacqueline, students receive innovative, interaction instruction to build their skills necessary to succeed in work as well as life.
Lessons include following directions, demonstrating enthusiasm, self-confidence, problem solving, initiative, accountability and more.
“Last year, Carter’s first with The Point/Arc,” Jacqueline continued, “He attended the 1-on-1/Small Group Pre-Employment transition skills program. “He (Carter) was given instruction at Simon Kenton High School by ZEC teachers.”
But Jacqueline Helton wasn’t the only one rooting for Carter as he walked down the aisle at the Gardens of Park Hills, Wednesday evening (May 13th). Karen Kindle, Carter’s teacher at Simon Kenton High School, came to witness the growth in one of her students.
“I taught Career in the ninth through 11th grade at Simon Kenton,” said the 31-year Special Education teacher. “I wouldn’t miss this night for the world. I came,” she added, “To make sure he was supported.”
“Karen is like Carter’s base of operations – for therapy, too,” added Jacqueline.
“I’ve seen quite the change in Carter too,” Kindle said, “A big change. A complete change. He’s more assertive. More responsible. More expressive and more social.
“Certainly,” she said, “The time spent at ZEC has paid off quite nicely.”
For mom, the challenge might have been just as hard. “We live in Crittenden (Ky.),” she said. “Carter takes the school bus to Simon Kenton daily, and I will pick him up at ZEC on Mondays and Wednesdays.”
The Carter Helton story is a real one – mom says he participates in Special Olympics – does unified sports in track, bocce and bowling.
Yet, Carter was one of a record 63 who received diplomas on this night. And each and every graduate had a story to tell. That number jumped from a first-year class size of 12, just four years ago. “I think we may hit a graduating class of 100 for 2027,” Executive Director Brandon Releford said.
The parents and friends at the event – and the room was full – were treated to Daniel C. Schaffer the mentalist and magician, who in 2021 discovered he, too was autistic.
“I wish I knew about ZEC and The Point/Arc when I was younger,” he told the audience, “It certainly would have changed my life at an earlier age.”
Just looked what it did for Carter Helton.
“We’ll be back,” mom Jacqueline promised. “Carter will attend the Summer Work Program – a one-day-a-week class – and plans to attend ZEC in the Fall.
And why not – he’s still growing.
The Point/Arc’s transition programs help students and young adults — ages 16-30 —with intellectual and developmental differences navigate the path from high school to adulthood, employment and independent living.
Judi Gerding, Founder and President of The Point/Arc called graduation night one of the more special evenings of the year. All you had to do was see the faces on the graduates – and their families.
